Union look to increase lead over visiting Impact

The Philadelphia Union will attempt to extend their unbeaten streak to six when they host the Montreal Impact Saturday night at Talen Energy Stadium.

In the process, the Union (12-11-4, 40 points) have surged into fifth place in the Eastern Conference, four points ahead of sixth place Montreal.

The Union, who are 4-0-1 in their last five games, last played to a 2-2 draw Sept. 1 at Orlando City SC.

“We control our own destiny, which is a good thing,” Union head coach Jim Curtin told reporters after the match in Orlando. “But we obviously have a little bit of a break now. A perfect time to recharge some of the batteries, get some guys some treatment for injuries, take a look at some young players this week, some academy kids that are in and impressing.”

This is the second matchup this season between the clubs as the Union defeated Montreal 2-0 May 12 at Stade Saputo.

Union midfielder Borek Dockal is listed as questionable with a sprained ankle.

The Impact (11-14-3, 36 points) have only lost once in their last five games and they most recently blanked the visiting New York Red Bulls 3-0 on Sept. 1.

But the Impact are just 2-10-2 on the road.

“The remaining six games will look like this one, that is, with a need to get a good result,” Montreal head coach Remi Garde told reporters after the win against the Red Bulls. “We must put the same ingredients and the same parameters that allowed us to beat one of the best teams on the circuit, who came to Montreal with great confidence.”

Montreal midfielder Ignacio Piatti has scored 13 goals, which ranks fifth in the league, only two behind Columbus’ Gyasi Zardes. Piatti scored one of the Impact’s three goals against New York. Piatti also has nine assists this season.